Sadr's Political Exit Boosts Maliki
By John Lee. Iraqi political analyst Ali Ameer has told Reuters that radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's retirement from politics will boost Prime Minister Maliki in the forthcoming April general elections. "Sadr's decision will definitely play into the hands of Maliki one way or the other," said Ameer, echoing the thoughts of other analysts. Sadr, who […]
Underage Marriage Growing in Iraqi Cities
By Wassim Bassem for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Rumors circulated that a man in his 90s who had married a girl 70 years his junior had died recently in Salahuddin province, north of Baghdad. This shocking news is only one part of the “uneven marriages” that have become endemic […]
Southern Gas Corridor is Open for Iraq
By John Lee. Azerbaijan's foreign minister, Elmar Mammadyarov (pictured), has said that the Southern Gas Corridor project is open for Iraq to transport its gas to the European markets. Addressing a news conference, he said: "It's a huge project ... and it's open if Iraq is also interested in delivering their own natural gas. "The […]
Young Entrepreneurs in Erbil Making a Killing
By John Lee. Sitting on some of the world's largest untapped oil and natural gas reserves, the region is experiencing a surge in investment and construction. Five-star hotels are dotting the skyline and luxury condo complexes with names like "American village" are opening on the outskirts of the city. As oil companies set up shop […]
Parsons Presents to South Oil Company
By John Lee. The South Oil Company (SOC) and Parsons have held a workshop to "identify their capabilities and areas in which it is possible to provide the services, and contribute to the development of the oil industry in Iraq, according to the latest technologies and to ensure that quality requirements". Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, head […]
Controversy Surrounds Alleged Iraq-Iran Arms Deal
By Ali Mamouri for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. In a Feb. 4 interview with the semi-official Iranian Tasnim News Agency, Mohammed Majid al-Sheikh, Iraq’s ambassador to Iran, was reported to have revealed his country’s intention to strike a deal […]
Iran to Trump Iraq on Exploration Terms?
By John Lee. Bloomberg reports that Iran plans to offer international companies better oil contracts than Iraq, as it seeks long-term investment to revive its energy industry. As Iran discusses limits to its nuclear program to remove Western sanctions against its financial and energy businesses, Mehdi Hosseini, of the Iranian oil ministry, said it is […]
India Buys more Iraqi Oil
By John Lee. India's Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) aims to increase crude imports from Iraq by 8 percent to about 65,000 bpd in the year to the end of March 2015, as it takes up better terms offered by Baghdad. The company's director of refineries, B. K. Namdeo, told Reuters that Iraq is offering 60 days' […]
UN Concerned about Fallujah
UN Envoy Concerned about Deteriorating Situation in Fallujah, Calls for Unity and Political Engagement Since the beginning of the fighting in Anbar Province over 63,000 families have been registered as internally displaced. Although many have fled to other parts of the country, including Karbala, Baghdad and Erbil provinces, others have sought safety in outlying communities […]
UK in Kurdistan Business Forum
The UK's Middle East Association (MEA) and British Expertise, in co-operation with the Kurdistan Regional Government UK Representation, cordially invite you to the 'UK in Kurdistan Business Forum' at the Erbil International Hotel, Ballroom, on Sunday 23rd February at 11am. The event will be a mini-trade fair focusing on the unique commercial offer the UK […]
Oil Find Declared Commercial, Shares Fall
Shares in WesternZagros Resources fell 12 percent on Thursday following the announcement that it has completed a revised resources assessment of its Kurdamir Oligocene reservoir in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and there are no material changes. On the Garmian Block, declaration of commerciality has been filed, the Baram-1 exploration well has discovered light oil, […]
IBN - Making Your Job Easier
We all know that there are risks to doing business in Iraq, but there are also tremendous opportunities, and in this week's newsletter you can read many examples of companies seizing these opportunities and contributing to the much-needed redevelopment of the country. To keep you informed of new opportunities that might be of interest to […]